William a



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TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Beit known that I, WILLIAM A. ROBINSON, of the city of Grand Rapids, Kent county, Michigan, have invented a new and useful Machine for lStretching Carpets; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description `of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the attached drawings, making a part of these specifications.

Figure I, of said drawings, gives a side, and

Figure 2 a ground view of the machine complete.

The lever Zandplatform m are made o f wood, and the balance of the machine is made of iron or brass. The gripes'(ig. 2, A A) are each composed of two stems, b b, one of which is inserted in the cent'e of a head, formed as of a rod, either round or wedge-shaped, two inches iong, more or less, and the other in the centre of the upper edge of a hook corresponding in form, length, and size with the head above mentioned. There is an eye, c, inserted in the stem of and near to the head, through which the stem of the hook passes, which eye, together with the two upright bars dd, holds the stoms to their places. There is a bar (fig. 2, e) extending from one gripe to the other, for the purpose of holding them to their places. vThere is a coiled sprinfnf, around the stemiof the hook, by the action of which the hook and head are brought together; and in the pro-cess of stretching, the said upright bars give a leverpurchasc for griping and holding the carpet. There is a ratchet-bar, g, with a transverse beam, z, at the forward end thereof, which is supported by braces t' z'. At the ends of this beam there is a tenen, jj,'set at right-angles therewith, which tenons are inserted between the lower ends of sa-id upright bars, and fastenedsthere (forming a joint) by means of a rivet or small bolt, as seen in fig. 1 of said drawings. This ratchet-bar and beam, with one of .said gripes attached to each of said tenons as aforesaid, is `moved forward, in the process of stretching, by means of two pawls, (fig. 1, 7c 16,) attached to the main stretching-lever Z, one of whichsaid pawls works above and the other below the fulcrum, and are so arranged that they hold the carpet themselves, when stretched to its place, until fastened by nails. The platform mis made of a board, one inch thick, ten inches wide, and four feet long, more or less, with a. cleat (tig. I, n) across each end, so as to raise the board about one and three-quarters of an inch from the door. There is a metallic spur, (tig. 1, 0,) half an inch long, inserted in each end of said cleats. There is a half-round made on the edge of` said board, to correspond with the hollow made in the back side of the lever, which half-rounded edge serves as a fulcrum for the lever to workupon.' When the platform is placed in position for use, it spans that portion of the carpet sought -to be stretched, forming n. platform to stand upon, and at the same time leaves the carpet free from any obstacle in the way of' stretching.

The work of stretching is performed by placing the gripes and ratchet-bar on the door and near the edge of the carpet, and pressing forward with the hand on the end of the upper stem, when the gripes will open and take-hold of the edge of the carpet as the hook is brought back by the action of the-coiled springf. Then place the platform over the ratchet-bar, and in a suitable position for working the lever and pa-wls on the platforni and ratchet-bar. Then-step upon the liiatforin, which will cause the spurs to piercefth-e carpet without injuring it, and enter the floor sufficiently to form a reliable stand for the purpose intended; then,vby putting the'lcver in position, and working it forward and backward, the stretching is performed.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination of the ratchet-bar g, puwls c c, and le'ver l, with the gripes A A, and platform in, substantiallyas and for the purpose intended.

WM.4 A. ROBINSON.

`Witnessesi Cnas. P: NASH, A. H. BorsrortD. 

